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Police make arrest after early Saturday homicide

Des Moines police have charged Ashley Nichole Rogers, 27, with first-degree murder in the death of Frank Renfro Jr.

Rogers could also face charges in the assault of William Rochon, who was taken into surgery shortly after being admitted to the hospital.

Police said Rochon’s injuries did not appear to be life-threatening, but the effects of anesthesia and pain medication have prevented a detailed interview.

Saturday’s crime scene stretched for half a block, officials said.

Des Moines police Sgt. Jason Halifax said blood and other evidence seemed to indicate it started at 1230 Sampson St. and moved south to Sampson and University Avenue. He said police were called just before 3:30 a.m.

The men were found near a bloody sidewalk along the parking lot of the East 17th Street Church of God In Christ. Neighbors said they didn’t hear anything before they heard sirens.

Authorities said the crime scene started up the street from where both men were found.

“The crime scene originated on Sampson Street, about 1230 Sampson, in front of that address,” Halifax said. “That crime scene does carry down the street with the bulk of it being right at this intersection of East 17th and University.”

Police said Renfro died in the incident, but would not say how he was injured and did not confirm that either man was stabbed.

Renfro’s father said his son graduated from Des Moines East High School in 2009 and was recently laid off from Budweiser. He was about to begin the process of getting a commercial driver’s license so he could drive a truck like one of his brothers.

Initial reports indicated the men were stabbed, but Halifax said investigators didn't know for sure what kind of weapon was used.

Police said the homicide does not appear to be random and said a third man was involved who was not injured. That man was taken in for questioning, but as a witness rather than a suspect.

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